"Research Fellow"

Organisation: Cranfield University

Faculty or Department: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Based at: Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire

Hours of work: 37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered, including compressed or part-time hours.

Contract type: Fixed term contract

Fixed Term Period: Until 31 July 2028

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £34,450 per annum (if PhD close to completion), or in the range of £37,337 to £39,864 per annum (if PhD obtained)

Apply by: 11/12/2025

We are inviting applicants passionate about Molecular Mycology to join the Magan Centre of Applied Mycology (MCAM) as Research Fellow.

The recently established MCAM, which has been expanded from the Applied Mycology Group, is expected to grow from four staff to 36 by 2031-32. As part of the creation of the centre, we are growing our team and recruiting outstanding research talent to support research in six core areas of our research and teaching within our Environmental Sustainability subject areas.

About the Role

This position supports academic colleagues within the MCAM who are actively securing and delivering projects in the field of Indoor and Environmental Mycology. You will assume responsibility for a defined set of tasks within ongoing research initiatives funded through various sources, including industry partners, the EU, and UKRI. While the role may involve a combination of research and teaching, it will also require effective organisation, management and coordination of activities.

About You

This post is suited for a talented researcher, enthusiastic about mycology or molecular microbiology, with a relevant PhD (or close to completion) and extensive research experience in exploring the biological mechanisms of fungi using molecular microbiology techniques. The successful candidate will want to make a difference and be keen to be part of a dynamic and professional team.

The ability to prioritise tasks, work under pressure, and to work to strict deadlines to meet key milestones, whilst ensuring excellent verbal, written communication and interpersonal skills will be required.

You will be able to demonstrate a promising track record of achievements, appropriate to your research area and career stage, including publications in the leading international peer-reviewed journals of your respective field.

To be successful in this role, you will be comfortable with change, willing to work flexibly, and open to new ways of doing things. Importantly, you will be able to collaborate with and influence people and build relationships quickly, and you will be eager to play a full role in the fast-moving and exciting MCAM project.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

The project will be part of the Environmental Sustainability Theme, one of the themes at Cranfield University offering world-class and nice postgraduate-level research, education, training and consultancy. The MCAM will expand the Applied Mycology Group’s expertise beyond food and expand to the other Themes at Cranfield.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr Haoxiang Wu, Lecturer in Indoor and Environmental Mycology, on (E): haoxiang.wu@cranfield.ac.uk

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 5153.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 11 December 2025

Deadline to fill the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion complementary survey: 16 December 2025

(This is mandatory but does not form part of the selection process, the surveys will not be shared with the recruiting manager or shortlisting panel)

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.